Life and Times in SoCal

It really did happen, they finally got here!

Well, what can I say? After 12 years and many discussions about having a free holiday to California, my daughter, Dominique, son-in-law Hugh and my granddaughter Taylor finally made it here for a vacation. 

As I’ve been mentioning for the past few posts, they were due to originally visit in 2020, they tried again in 2021 and finally got here in 2022. And it has been a blast! Also, my son, Jordan, daughter-in-law Steph and grandson Koby were also on the plane from London, so it made it a truly awesome 2 weeks.

We tried to cram as much into their time as possible; we did all the usual tourist things we have had the others do over the years from Whale watching with Capt. Dave’s dolphin safari to Hollywood and Beverley Hills to Santa Monica, LA’s Farmers Market, lots of shopping and eating to teaching Koby to swim and generally having a great time. 

We didn’t think Jordan and family would make it out due to him not having a passport, however his new blue British passport turned up on Wednesday, 2 days before he was due to fly, talk about cutting it close!

It was a great time and the longest we have all been together for about 15 years! It’s a pity Meg and Alfie weren’t here at the same time although it would have made the sleeping arrangements a little more difficult!

This was the furthest Dom, Hugh and Taylor had ever been from home and I really think it opened their eyes to what the world looks like.

One of the things they wanted to do was go to Disneyland, so I girded my loins and bought the eyewatering expensive tickets and took them all to the Mouse House. Although it was very busy, they did have a good time and I think it’s fair to say if I go back in the next 3 years it will be too soon!

We also had a pool party day where they all got to meet some “normal” Americans, not just Julie and me. Again, it was a great afternoon plenty of nice thick steaks on the grill with corn-on-the-cob and salad, a very traditional American cookout, oh, and plenty of beer and wine!

As I mentioned earlier Koby learnt to swim and is now 100% confident in the water, considering 3 years ago he did not go in the pool until the very last day and then only in his daddy’s arms it’s amazing how he is developing. 

Dominique, Huge and Taylor also had a life lesson while out with us, I think they may listen next time when I say sunscreen is a necessity before you get burnt and resemble a lobster, ouch! 

Although prices have changed along with the rest of the world Dominique, Hugh, Taylor, Jordan and Steph helped our economy by spending on new clothes and food thanks for the meals, guys. 

During their time here they created a shared digital album of memories. There is over 1000 photographs and 50 videos (some of which you can see here)and that’s after I edited some of the pictures out. You’ll thank me later Julie!

I’m not sure what they would all consider as their highlight of their vacation but for Julie and I it was having a house full of family, yeah making noise and generally turning our world upside down but we wouldn’t have had it any other way, it was fantastic!

Now we are back to our normal, +38c (100f) temperatures and back to work. Our next visitors Julie's sister and her husband, Diane & David will be here in about 6 weeks, again we are looking forward to them coming but it will be a totally different vacation. 

On an unrelated subject I would like to link you to a great short movie/commercial for my home county of Yorkshire. it's narrated by that unassuming Yorkshireman Sean Bean and spoiler alert he doesn't get killed in this one! Hope you enjoy it and happy belated Yorkshire day

ciao Paul & Julie

August 2022